Coach Thomas shook up the starting lineup, electing to go with a speedy Brody Darin and Cole Gwaltney backcourt. Avyn Morales got the Dons on the board with two free throws early, tying the game at 2. In what has been a pattern lately, the Knights ripped off twelve unanswered on four 3’s to go up 14-2 with three coming from Thomas (#15). Braedon Christie steadied the ship with two free throws and Morales hit a three to narrow the gap to 16-7. Las Lomas answered with their fifth 3 of the quarter and another fast break layup to extend the lead to 21-10. Morales added another bucket plus the and-1 to make it 23-10 at the end of the period.
Christie opened the second with two more free throws and Drew McKenzie had a nice lefty finish down low. Nico Ortman added a three. A Sam Bishop steal and finish on the other end brought us even in the quarter down 32-19 before a Xayne (#13) three at the buzzer gave the Knights a 35-19 lead at half.
The Dons were unable to close the gap in the third as Las Lomas hit three more 3’s and were able to convert turnovers into easy fast break buckets. Christie had eight points in the quarter, one bucket on a nice assist from Bishop. Morales had five with one coming on a sweet look from Darin. The Knights were up 54-32 going into the fourth.
Miles Blackhart scored six in the fourth with assists coming from McKenzie, Jonah Orlando and Jake Hawkins. Gwaltney looked good as he quickly pushed the pace on offense and dropped a nice dime to Orlando for the final bucket as the score ended up 60-40. The five that ended the game played really well together and worked hard on defense and the boards.
The Dons were led by Morales with 13, Christie with 12 and Blackhart with 6 points. The Knights got 13 from Xayne (#13, who did not pay in our first matchup and looked very good) plus 11 from Thomas (#15) as both players had three 3’s as well. We were outscored big from three 10-3.
The Dons fall to 5-12 on the season and 2-6 in league play, having lost five in a row and six of their last seven. Next up is a non-league game at Arroyo in San Lorenzo on Tuesday, February 1st. The Dons will finally get to return home to the friendly confines of Huber Arena on Friday, February 4th for a rematch against crosstown rivals Campolindo. All games start at 4pm. GO DONS!!!!